A Principal Investigator (PI) is the individual responsible for the preparation, conduct, and administration of a sponsored project. Anyone holding the following positions may be designated as a PI so long as they have attended a PI training:
All Faculty (tenure and non-tenure track; Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor)
All Staff 12 Montana Tech Principal Investigator’s Handbook August 2020
All Post-Doctoral Researchers, Research Associates, or Research NonTenure Track Faculty
Principal Investigators on sponsored projects normally are regular employees of Montana Tech. (i.e. work for a period of six or more months by a Board of Regents Letter of Appointment, contract, or as a tenure-track faculty appointment.) Under very unusual circumstances, other individuals may serve as PI, but only after written approval of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
Required Certifications and Trainings to serve as a PI
To submit a proposal at Montana Tech as a PI or coPI, the following trainings and certifications are required.
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What Training Who should Attend Frequency Why Attend?
Principal Investigator (PI) Training Anyone wishing to submit Proposals Mandatory 1 training prior to submitting proposals Recommended every 4 years Required per BOR 401.C Learn what is required to be a PI and helpful information for proposals and grant management Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training All staff and students engaged in research activities Mandatory Every 3 years via Citi Training Programs Required per BOR 401.C Compliance with NIH Policy Learn safe and ethical practices for research Conflict of Interest Certification and Disclosure (Training is via RCR module.) All Montana Tech employees and students or others who design, conduct, or report research, educational, or public service activities. Annual update of disclosure required Compliance with BOR Policy 770 2 CFR200.112 Montana Tech COI policy Human Subjects Training (IRB) Any PI with a proposal involving human subject Every 3 years via Citi Training Programs 45 CFR 46 Gain an understanding on the protection of human subjects Federal Export Control Any PI that receives federal funding or applies for federal grants or enters into an International MOU Mandatory, prior to working with controlled information via CITI Training. CFR 910.366 Understand the laws and regulations; and risk of noncompliance The Regulatory Compliance manager in the research office will send reminders at the beginning of each semester for those faculty that need a refresher training to say current on the frequency listed in the above table. 13 Montana Tech Principal Investigator’s Handbook August 2020 Email Grants@mtech.edu for additional information and links to the trainings.
Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator (PI)
The Principal Investigator is responsible for implementing the sponsored project in accordance with sponsor guidelines. The project implementation includes hiring staff and students; expending project funds; requesting the purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies included in the project; conducting the project as described in the proposal and agreed to in the award; preparing the technical reports for the sponsor; and providing information needed by OSP and/or RO for fulfilling their project administration responsibilities. Co-Principal Investigators (co-PIs) share these responsibilities with the PI.